Todd Warriner has the distinction of scoring the first-ever goal at Toronto’s Air Canada Centre on February 13, 1999 while playing as a member of the Toronto Maple Leafs. From May 1 to 3, he’ll have the honour of participating as an NHL alumnus in the 2014 Scotiabank Baycrest Pro-Am in the fight against Alzheimer’s. It’s his second go-round at the tournament.

Warriner can relate to the Pro-Am format better than most. As a pro, he spent nine seasons playing in the NHL, including a five-year stint with the Toronto Maple Leafs. But he’s also in tune with the amateur side of the event. Not only can he reflect on his days competing as an amateur in the 1994 Winter Olympics in Lillehammer, Norway – the last time amateurs skated for Canada at the games – with players like Todd Hlushko, a fellow Baycrest Pro-Am alumni, but he also shares a great fondness for his fellow “amateurs” who help “stick it to Alzheimer’s.”

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 “The true heroes are the guys who raise the money to get on these Pro-Am teams that we’re fortunate enough to play with,” says Warriner, who enjoys the opportunity for camaraderie with both the fundraisers and his ex-teammates that the event provides.

“I’m happy to be involved and I look forward to playing in May.”

Fellow NHL alum and Toronto Maple Leafs icon and former captain Wendel Clark – a perennial fixture at the Pro-Am since its inception – is similarly excited to lace ‘em up again this year.

“[The Pro-Am] has lasted a long time,” says the Leafs legend, who will be participating in the event for the ninth straight year. “Between the alumni and the guys that raise all the money, it’s been a great thing.”

Since his playing days ended in 2000, Clark has made a name for himself in the community outside of being a fearless leader on the ice.  Along with other NHL alumni, Clark steps up year-after-year to give back in his continued support of the Scotiabank Baycrest Pro-Am to help “stick it to Alzheimer’s.”

 “I think we’re all very fortunate to have played professional hockey,” says Clark, who will be participating in his ninth Pro-Am this year. “A lot of guys give back. That’s the big thing here with Baycrest – all the alumni that come out to support and be a part of [the event].”

The 9th annual Scotiabank Baycrest Pro-Am takes place May 1-3, 2014. Register your team or donate to this worthy cause.